Kauai Community College

Kauai Community College

Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Kauai Community College Price: $6.50 to $8 Scoping it out: If you happen to be in Kauai during the school year, pay a visit to Kauai Community College, where budding chefs in the Culinary Arts Program cook up some of the finest budget meals in town. Lunch is served 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily and features island favorites such as plate lunches (a Hawaiian staple made up of two scoops of white rice, a scoop of macaroni salad and one or more entrees). Choose from entrees such as kalbi (Korean barbecue) ribs, teriyaki chicken, kalua pork or curry dishes. Or try the salad bar or a sandwich. Elaborate three-course meals are also served ($15 to $20), but call ahead for reservations to participate in this program, (808) 245-8365. We loved ... finding a good-quality meal for a pittance. We didn't love ... that the lunches aren't available year-round. Kauai Community College, 31901 Kaumualii Highway, Lihue; (808) 245-8311. Martina Hilldorfer is an instructor with the Culinary Arts Program.

Kauai Community College Price: $6.50 to $8 Scoping it out: If you happen to be in Kauai during the school year, pay a visit to Kauai Community College, where budding chefs in the Culinary Arts Program cook up some of the finest budget meals in town. Lunch is served 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily and features island favorites such as plate lunches (a Hawaiian staple made up of two scoops of white rice, a scoop of macaroni salad and one or more entrees). Choose from entrees such as kalbi (Korean barbecue) ribs, teriyaki chicken, kalua pork or curry dishes. Or try the salad bar or a sandwich. Elaborate three-course meals are also served ($15 to $20), but call ahead for reservations to participate in this program, (808) 245-8365. We loved ... finding a good-quality meal for a pittance. We didn't love ... that the lunches aren't available year-round. Kauai Community College, 31901 Kaumualii Highway, Lihue; (808) 245-8311. Martina Hilldorfer is an instructor with the Culinary Arts Program. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Kauai Community College Price: $6.50 to $8 Scoping it out: If you happen to be in Kauai during the school year, pay a visit to Kauai Community College, where budding chefs in the Culinary Arts Program cook up some of the finest budget meals in town. Lunch is served 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily and features island favorites such as plate lunches (a Hawaiian staple made up of two scoops of white rice, a scoop of macaroni salad and one or more entrees). Choose from entrees such as kalbi (Korean barbecue) ribs, teriyaki chicken, kalua pork or curry dishes. Or try the salad bar or a sandwich. Elaborate three-course meals are also served ($15 to $20), but call ahead for reservations to participate in this program, (808) 245-8365. We loved ... finding a good-quality meal for a pittance. We didn't love ... that the lunches aren't available year-round. Kauai Community College, 31901 Kaumualii Highway, Lihue; (808) 245-8311. Martina Hilldorfer is an instructor with the Culinary Arts Program.